“I can’t keep protecting people who don’t want to train, and are about three stone overweight. What am I supposed to keep saying? 'Keep getting your 60, 70 grand a week and don’t train'? What’s the game coming to?”

It was difficult not to admire his honesty and agree with an exasperated voice of reason.

But if Redknapp can’t keep protecting Taarabt, there will be plenty of other managers prepared to do so.

Because to manage successfully in the Premier League is to apply a clothes-peg to your nose and indulge young millionaires whose attitudes can stink the place out.

At the age of 67, after a heart scare, a lengthy tax-evasion trial, an England snub and a brutal sacking by Tottenham, perhaps he should have bowed out at Wembley with a flower in his lapel and a medal round his neck.

There had been discontented murmurings about his lax regime even as QPR sneaked to promotion.

Now, a group of players talented enough to out-play Liverpool are under-achieving due to fitness issues and tactical naivety.

Redknapp must somehow rediscover the energy to revitalise his squad, even Taarabt.

Or else it is time to recognise that the Premier League is no country for tired old men.